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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Biochemical responses of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to irrigation with polluted lake water: A study of photosynthetic pigments and stress metabolites
Authors
Pallavi Singh, Awanish
Abstract
The biochemical responses of plants to wastewater irrigation reflect
the complex interplay between nutrient enrichment and contaminant-induced
stress. This study investigated the effects of irrigation with heavy
metal-contaminated water from Ramgarh Lake, Gorakhpur, on photosynthetic
pigments, stress-related metabolites, and primary metabolic compounds in radish
(Raphanus sativus L. cv. NRD 45). A two-year pot experiment
(2024–2025) compared tap water irrigation (control) with raw wastewater from the
lake's outflow channel. Polluted water irrigation significantly enhanced
photosynthetic pigment concentrations, with chlorophyll a increasing by 36.75%,
chlorophyll b by 45.45%, and total chlorophyll by 38.03%. Carotenoid content
rose by 37.07%, indicating improved photosynthetic capacity. Stress-adaptive
metabolites showed substantial increases: proline by 102–107%, anthocyanin by
75–83%, total phenolics by 60–66%, and ascorbic acid by 37–39%. Primary
metabolites in edible roots also increased, with carbohydrates rising by 24–30%
and proteins by approximately 46%. These biochemical changes demonstrate that
radish plants mounted a coordinated physiological response to wastewater
irrigation, simultaneously benefiting from nutrient enrichment while activating
protective mechanisms against heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. The
findings highlight the remarkable physiological plasticity of radish under
moderate contamination stress and provide insights for managing
wastewater-irrigated vegetable production.
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Pages:15-24
How to cite this article:
Pallavi Singh, Awanish "Biochemical responses of radish (<i>Raphanus sativus</i> L.) to irrigation with polluted lake water: A study of photosynthetic pigments and stress metabolites". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 15-24
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